The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the formal operation of a solar-powered abra – an open-sided boat that has an awning overhead as protection from the heat - , considered the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The introduction of this sophisticated abra, which is being deployed at Al Mamzar, follows several trial runs to verify the possibility of changing speed. The scheme is part of Dubai Government’s initiative billed: Green Economy for a Sustainable Environment.

"This abra is the first public marine transit mode powered by solar energy in the Middle East. The project was intended to convert an abra powered by electricity into an abra powered by solar energy through fitting the roof of the abra with solar panels along with other operational accessories,'' said Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of RTA Public Transport Agency.

"A specialist company has conducted a Balance Test during a one-month trial run of the abra at Al Jaddaf with no riders on-board. It was established that the solar power system would have no negative impact on the stability and balance of the hull of the abra, and accordingly, there would be no need for tinkering with the design or specifications of the existing abra or even building new ones. Results have shown that the solar system can charge the battery up to 100 per cent every day, the stored power would be good enough to drive the abra for five hours at the normal operating speed of 3-4 knots, and the residual power in the battery would be around 25 per cent. The system requires about six daytime hours to recharge the battery in full," explained Al Ali.

"The launch of this abra is part of RTA strategy towards fully adopting the Green Economy concept and using clean energy in various public transit means. The RTA is focused on turning these concepts into reality through creative initiatives for curbing carbon footprint, and using alternative energy in mass transit means," added the CEO of RTA Public Transport Agency.